Public Knowledge of and Attitudes to Social Work in Scotland

Annex D: Topline Results

The results are based on a survey of 1,015 members of the Scottish general public, conducted face-to-face in home, using CAPI from 18 th April - 19 th June 2005

The data are weighed by Local Authority, age and sex, using 2001 census data

An asterisk (*) indicates a percentage of less that 0.5% but greater than zero. Where percentages do not add up to 100, this may be due to computer rounding, multiple responses, or the exclusion of don't know categories.

Base is all (1,015) unless stated otherwise.

QSW1

Do you think it would be enough for (INSERT NAME) to be cared for by a friend or family member, or do you think they should have a care worker from outside the family?

Scenario

1

2

3

%

%

%

A friend/family member only

12

36

50

Need a care worker from outside the family

84

58

45

Don't know

4

6

6

QSW2a

Suppose that someone from outside the family has to provide care or assistance for (INSERT NAME). Do you think the state should pay for this help or do you think (INSERT NAME) should pay for it her/himself or should their family pay?

Scenario

1

2

3

%

%

%

GO TO SW2b

State should pay

79

75

61

GO TO SW2c

(INSERT NAME) should pay themselves

2

4

12

GO TO SW2c

Family should pay

2

5

7

GO TO SW2d

Depends

14

12

15

Don't know

2

3

5

Base: All who think the state should pay at QSW2a

QSW2b

Should the state pay for this type of help for all people like (INSERT NAME) or should it only pay for those who can't afford to pay for themselves?

Scenario

1

2

3

%

%

%

Base:

(797)

(766)

(619)

GO TO SW3

Should pay for everyone

69

67

61

GO TO SW3

State should only pay for those who can't afford it

27

30

36

GO TO SW2d

Depends

4

3

3

Base: All who think the person should pay themselves or their family should pay 23 & 22

QSW2c

Should the state pay for this type of help for all people like (INSERT NAME) or should it only pay for those who can't afford to pay for themselves?

Scenario

1

2

3

%

%

%

Base:

(45)

(90)

(183)

State should pay for them

91

69

55

No, state should not pay for them

9

25

39

GO TO SW2d

Depends

-

7

5

QSW2d

Why do you say that/what does it depend on?

%

Base: All respondents, 1,015

QSW3a

I'd now like you to read the scenario, described on this card, or I can read it to you. I will then ask you a question about it.

Robert/Shona [rotate gender] is a child at primary school. Over the past few weeks their teacher has noticed some changes in their behaviour. Whereas normally they are friendly and outgoing, recently they have been withdrawn. One day their teacher also noticed bruising on Robert's/Shona's upper arms and she thinks this might have been caused by the child being gripped and shaken. As a precaution she informs the local child protection team.

Taking your answers from this card, what do you think the child protection team should do?

(%)

Keep an eye on the situation

29

Take the child away from the family until it is clear what is going on

5

Work with the family and child to deal with problems they may be having

64

They should do nothing

*

Don't know

2

QSW3b

I'd not like you to read a second scenario described on this card - or I can read it to you - then I will ask you a question about it

Jack/Jane is 40 years old [rotate gender]. Six months ago, they were admitted to hospital suffering from schizophrenia. After a course of drug treatment and therapy, they were judged to be well enough to leave hospital and move back into their own flat. Since he/she came out of hospital, the social worker who has been visiting them thinks their condition has deteriorated and that he has not been taking his medication.

Taking your answers from this card, what do you think should happen to Jack/Jane

(%)

They should be sent to a secure ward in a hospital

11

They should be sent to an open hospital

42

They should be encouraged to take their medication and left at home

43

Nothing should happen

*

Don't know

4

QSW4

Social workers are often involved in the kinds of situations we have been talking about. Taking your answer from this card, how would you describe your general impression of social workers? SINGLE CODE

(%)

Very positive

10

More positive than negative

33

Neither positive nor negative

26

More negative than positive

16

Very negative

8

Don't know

7

QSW5

I'd like you to think about people doing different types of jobs and how much you would trust them to make the right decisions in particular circumstances. Taking your answers from this card, to what extent would you trust the decision of… (ROTATE ORDER OF STATEMENTS)

A judge deciding whether or not to send a person to prison

(%)

Always

18

Most of the time

51

Sometimes

24

Hardly ever

4

Never

1

Don't know

2

QSW5

I'd like you to think about people doing different types of jobs and how much you would trust them to make the right decisions in particular circumstances. Taking your answers from this card, to what extent would you trust the decision of… (ROTATE ORDER OF STATEMENTS)

A social worker deciding whether or not to take a child into care

(%)

Always

7

Most of the time

42

Sometimes

40

Hardly ever

6

Never

2

Don't know

3

QSW5

I'd like you to think about people doing different types of jobs and how much you would trust them to make the right decisions in particular circumstances. Taking your answers from this card, to what extent would you trust the decision of… (ROTATE ORDER OF STATEMENTS)

A doctor deciding whether or not someone with mental health problems should be kept in a secure ward

(%)

Always

19

Most of the time

54

Sometimes

20

Hardly ever

2

Never

1

Don't know

3

QSW5

I'd like you to think about people doing different types of jobs and how much you would trust them to make the right decisions in particular circumstances. Taking your answers from this card, to what extent would you trust the decision of… (ROTATE ORDER OF STATEMENTS)

A head teacher deciding whether or not an unruly pupil should be excluded permanently from school

(%)

Always

19

Most of the time

46

Sometimes

25

Hardly ever

5

Never

2

Don't know

2

QSW5

I'd like you to think about people doing different types of jobs and how much you would trust them to make the right decisions in particular circumstances. Taking your answers from this card, to what extent would you trust the decision of… (ROTATE ORDER OF STATEMENTS)

A bank manager deciding whether or not to repossess someone's home

(%)

Always

6

Most of the time

34

Sometimes

35

Hardly ever

10

Never

9

Don't know

6

QSW6

In terms of qualifications and training, which of these do you think best reflects the level of training and qualifications undertaken by someone working as a social worker?

(%)

No training or qualifications

1

A year's training and practical experience

7

Two or three year's training - equivalent to a college diploma

25

Three or four year's training equivalent to a university degree

44

Five or more years training - equivalent to post-graduate degree

15

Don't know

8

QSW7

For which types of issues or problems do you think a person might receive help or advice from a social work service?

(%)

Abuse/maltreatment/neglect of children

44

Care of childcare

36

Care/assistance for elderly

33

Coping with a mental illness

29

To help parents bring up their children better

22

Help with drug/alcohol problems

20

Physical disabilities

17

Housing issues

17

Benefits/debt

16

Coping with a learning disability

Learning disability

16

14

Fostering/adoption

9

Respite care

5

Leaving prison

5

Stop someone reoffending

4

Legal advice

3

Occupational therapy

2

Other

18

Don't know

13

QSW8

If you ever needed help or advice for the following people, how likely would you be to approach your local council social work service?

An older person not coping on their own

(%)

Very likely

44

Fairly likely

35

Neither likely no unlikely

6

Fairly unlikely

8

Very unlikely

5

Don't know

2

QSW8

If you ever needed help or advice for the following people, how likely would you be to approach your local council social work service?

A person with a disability

(%)

Very likely

39

Fairly likely

41

Neither likely no unlikely

7

Fairly unlikely

7

Very unlikely

4

Don't know

2

QSW8

SHOWCARD V. If you ever needed help or advice for the following people, how likely would you be to approach your local council social work service?

Children and families having fairly serious problems

(%)

Very likely

39

Fairly likely

33

Neither likely no unlikely

10

Fairly unlikely

8

Very unlikely

8

Don't know

3

QSW8

SHOWCARD V. If you ever needed help or advice for the following people, how likely would you be to approach your local council social work service?

Someone who committed an offence

(%)

Very likely

24

Fairly likely

22

Neither likely no unlikely

13

Fairly unlikely

17

Very unlikely

20

Don't know

5

Base: All who were asked about each profession

QSW9

From your own experience or from what you have heard, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following?

Social work services department are adequately staffed and funded (For teachers the statement should read: 'schools are adequately staffed and funded'. For the police: 'the police force is adequately staffed and funded'. For nurses: 'NHS hospitals are adequately staffed and funded'.

Social workers

Teachers

Police

Nurses

Base:

(261)

(253)

(268)

(233)

%

%

%

%

Strongly agree

1

4

4

3

Tend to agree

15

18

19

15

Neither agree nor disagree

15

8

10

7

Tend to disagree

36

44

32

36

Strongly disagree

19

22

24

36

Don't know

14

4

10

3

QSW9

From your own experience or from what you have heard, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following?

Social workers have the support of the public to do their job (For teachers the statement should read: 'schools are adequately staffed and funded'. For the police: 'the police force is adequately staffed and funded'. For nurses: ' NHS hospitals are adequately staffed and funded'.

Social workers

Teachers

Police

Nurses

Base:

(261)

(253)

(268)

(233)

%

%

%

%

Strongly agree

2

4

3

19

Tend to agree

34

40

43

51

Neither agree nor disagree

15

15

10

11

Tend to disagree

35

32

31

14

Strongly disagree

9

7

10

5

Don't know

4

3

3

*

QSW9

From your own experience or from what you have heard, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following?

Social workers have the support of politicians to do their job (For teachers the statement should read: 'schools are adequately staffed and funded'. For the police: 'the police force is adequately staffed and funded'. For nurses: ' NHS hospitals are adequately staffed and funded'.

Social workers

Teachers

Police

Nurses

Base:

(261)

(253)

(268)

(233)

%

%

%

%

Strongly agree

3

5

10

3

Tend to agree

35

32

38

24

Neither agree nor disagree

24

17

15

17

Tend to disagree

22

26

19

37

Strongly disagree

5

14

10

14

Don't know

10

6

9

5

QSW9

From your own experience or from what you have heard, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following?

Social workers are not as highly regarded as other professions working with the public (For teachers the statement should read: 'schools are adequately staffed and funded'. For the police: 'the police force is adequately staffed and funded'. For nurses: ' NHS hospitals are adequately staffed and funded'.

Social workers

Teachers

Police

Nurses

Base:

(261)

(253)

(268)

(233)

%

%

%

%

Strongly agree

12

10

12

18

Tend to agree

63

44

43

37

Neither agree nor disagree

10

14

11

9

Tend to disagree

11

26

23

26

Strongly disagree

1

4

5

7

Don't know

3

3

6

2

QSW9

From your own experience or from what you have heard, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following?

Social workers are often unfairly blamed when something goes wrong (For teachers the statement should read: 'schools are adequately staffed and funded'. For the police: 'the police force is adequately staffed and funded'. For nurses: ' NHS hospitals are adequately staffed and funded'.

Social workers

Teachers

Police

Nurses

Base:

(261)

(253)

(268)

(233)

%

%

%

%

Strongly agree

13

20

20

19

Tend to agree

51

53

46

50

Neither agree nor disagree

20

11

12

15

Tend to disagree

8

12

15

10

Strongly disagree

3

2

3

2

Don't know

4

2

3

4

QSW9

From your own experience or from what you have heard, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following?

The image of social workers has worsened in recent years (For teachers the statement should read: 'schools are adequately staffed and funded'. For the police: 'the police force is adequately staffed and funded'. For nurses: ' NHS hospitals are adequately staffed and funded'.

Social workers

Teachers

Police

Nurses

Base:

(261)

(253)

(268)

(233)

%

%

%

%

Strongly agree

25

17

27

16

Tend to agree

49

49

41

34

Neither agree nor disagree

15

11

12

12

Tend to disagree

5

18

16

26

Strongly disagree

1

2

3

9

Don't know

5

4

2

3

QSW9

From your own experience or from what you have heard, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following?

Social workers are not well paid (For teachers the statement should read: 'schools are adequately staffed and funded'. For the police: 'the police force is adequately staffed and funded'. For nurses: ' NHS hospitals are adequately staffed and funded'.

Social workers

Teachers

Police

Nurses

Base:

(261)

(253)

(268)

(233)

%

%

%

%

Strongly agree

4

6

5

33

Tend to agree

26

27

17

36

Neither agree nor disagree

19

13

17

10

Tend to disagree

19

29

25

13

Strongly disagree

6

10

18

5

Don't know

26

16

17

4

Base: All respondents (1,015)

QSW10

From your own experience or from what you have heard, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following?

Social work services are for other people, not people like me

(%)

Strongly agree

5

Tend to agree

20

Neither agree nor disagree

14

Tend to disagree

42

Strongly disagree

18

Don't know

3

QSW10

SHOWCARD W AGAIN. From your own experience or from what you have heard, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following?

If I were using social work services, I wouldn't want other people knowing about it

(%)

Strongly agree

19

Tend to agree

39

Neither agree nor disagree

14

Tend to disagree

18

Strongly disagree

7

Don't know

2

QSW10

SHOWCARD W AGAIN. From your own experience or from what you have heard, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following?

Most people will come into contact with social work services at some point in their lives

(%)

Strongly agree

14

Tend to agree

51

Neither agree nor disagree

11

Tend to disagree

17

Strongly disagree

3

Don't know

4

QSW10

SHOWCARD W AGAIN. From your own experience or from what you have heard, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following?

Social workers have too much power to interfere in people's lives

(%)

Strongly agree

10

Tend to agree

26

Neither agree nor disagree

22

Tend to disagree

30

Strongly disagree

5

Don't know

8

QSW10

SHOWCARD W AGAIN. From your own experience or from what you have heard, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following?

More social work services should be geared towards preventing people who need help from getting into further difficulty

(%)

Strongly agree

31

Tend to agree

57

Neither agree nor disagree

6

Tend to disagree

3

Strongly disagree

*

Don't know

3

QSW10

SHOWCARD W AGAIN. From your own experience or from what you have heard, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following?

I don't think I will ever be in a position where I need to use social work services

(%)

Strongly agree

7

Tend to agree

24

Neither agree nor disagree

19

Tend to disagree

31

Strongly disagree

14

Don't know

5

QSW10

SHOWCARD W AGAIN. From your own experience or from what you have heard, to what extent do you agree or disagree with the following?

I am not clear about what social workers actually do

(%)

Strongly agree

10

Tend to agree

29

Neither agree nor disagree

11

Tend to disagree

34

Strongly disagree

15

Don't know

1

QSW11

SHOWCARD Y. There are many ways in which people might form an impression of social workers. I'm interested to know how you gained an understanding of social workers and what they do. Which of the following have been important in forming your impressions?

(%)

Television news and current affairs programmes

47

Personal experience or contact

43

Word of mouth

36

National newspapers

36

Local newspapers

23

School/college

10

Work

20

Radio

9

Other TV

6

Books/leaflets/magazines

7

Television soaps

6

Internet

2

Other

3

Don't know

4

QSW12

SHOWCARD Y AGAIN. And which one of these sources would you say was the most influential for you?

(%)

Personal experience or contact

32

Television news and current affairs programmes

21

Word of mouth

13

Work

10

National newspapers

8

School/college

4

Local newspapers

3

Books/leaflets/magazines

1

Television soaps

1

Other TV

1

Radio

*

Internet

*

Other

1

Don't know

4

QSW13

Have you, or has anyone in your household, ever had contact with social work services?

(%)

Yes

39

No

61

Don't know/can't remember

1

QSW14a

SHOWCARD Z. Looking at this list, which of these services provided by your local council have you or anyone in your household ever used?

(%)

General help for older people

14

Help/advice about benefits/housing/debt

13

Residential homes, home helps, day centres for elderly

10

General help for people with disabilities

9

Occupational therapy

7

Help for children and families

6

Counselling/advice for people with drug/alcohol problems

4

Respite care

4

Help for people with learning disabilities

4

Adoption and fostering

3

Help for people with mental health problems

5

Help for families with disabled children

2

Help for an offender

2

Help to access the children's hearing system

1

Don't know/can't remember

2

Not had any contact with any of these

54

QSW14b

SHOWCARD Z AGAIN. Which one did you or anyone in your household use most recently?

(%)

General help for older people

8

Help/advice about benefits/housing/debt

7

Residential homes, home helps, day centres for elderly

6

Occupational therapy

4

Help for children and families

4

General help for people with disabilities

3

Counselling/advice for people with drug/alcohol problems

2

Help for people with learning disabilities

2

Help for people with mental health problems

2

Respite care

2

Adoption and fostering

1

Help for an offender

1

Help for families with disabled children

1

Help to access the children's hearing system

*

Don't know/can't remember

2

Not had contact with any of these

54

Base: All who have used at least one service (454)

QSW15

SHOWCARD AA. (Thinking about the service used most recently). To what extent were you satisfied or dissatisfied with the service?

(%)

Very satisfied

38

Fairly satisfied

42

Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied

5

Fairly dissatisfied

6

Very dissatisfied

9

Don't know/can't remember

1

QSW16

SHOWCARD BB. (Thinking about the service used most recently). To what extent would you agree or disagree with the following statements about the service?

They were quick to respond to my needs

(%)

Strongly agree

30

Tend to agree

40

Neither agree nor disagree

8

Tend to disagree

10

Strongly disagree

10

Don't know/can't remember

2

QSW16

SHOWCARD BB. (Thinking about the service used most recently). To what extent would you agree or disagree with the following statements about the service?

They spent time getting to know me and what I wanted

(%)

Strongly agree

26

Tend to agree

37

Neither agree nor disagree

10

Tend to disagree

13

Strongly disagree

11

Don't know/can't remember

2

QSW16

SHOWCARD BB. (Thinking about the service used most recently). To what extent would you agree or disagree with the following statements about the service?

They did what they said they would do

(%)

Strongly agree

32

Tend to agree

44

Neither agree nor disagree

7

Tend to disagree

8

Strongly disagree

8

Don't know/can't remember

2

QSW16

SHOWCARD BB. (Thinking about the service used most recently). To what extent would you agree or disagree with the following statements about the service?

They took account of the general situation

(%)

Strongly agree

32

Tend to agree

48

Neither agree nor disagree

5

Tend to disagree

4

Strongly disagree

8

Don't know/can't remember

2

QSW16

SHOWCARD BB. (Thinking about the service used most recently). To what extent would you agree or disagree with the following statements about the service?

I had a say in what happened

(%)

Strongly agree

28

Tend to agree

38

Neither agree nor disagree

12

Tend to disagree

10

Strongly disagree

11

Don't know/can't remember

2

Base: All (1,015)

QSW17

Finally, thinking ahead to the next 20 years, do you think the need for social work services in Scotland will increase, decrease or stay the same?